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«»r IE RED FLOWER 



R4 
1920 



A Play of Armenia To-day 




BY 

HELEN HARRINGTON 



INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA 

SALES DEPARTMENT 
45 West 18th Street New York, N. Y. 






Copyright, 1920, by 

Interchurch World Movement 

OF North America 



C1A6C23V0 



m 26 YJo} 



*'W'^ I 



Persons of the Play 

Men 

BoGHOs Keuleyan (B6-ghos Kew'-lay-ian), aged about sixty. A one- 
time well-to-do merchant nozv reduced in circumstances on account 
of the general conditions in his country. He is cheerful and lovable. 

Stephen Keuleyan, his son, aged about twenty-six, handsome and manly. 
He has been educated in America. 

Garabed (Gar'-a-bed) 1 y:^-^^^^ ^j: Boghos. Matter-of-fact old men. 
Manoog (Ma-noog) J ^ ^> i j 

Marcos (Mar-gos), friend of Boghos. Rather gentle and dreamy. 
William Ayer, a young American clergyman attached to the mission. 

He is light complexioned, tall, and slight. A fine type of the manly, 

straightforward, American clergyman of to-day. 

NooRiL (Noor-il'), a begging dervish. 

Ali (A-lee), a captain under Mustapha Kemal (Mus-ta-pha-Ke-mal). 

Four Young Men, wedding guests. 

Two Soldiers, accompanying Ali. 

Women 

Mother Armenia, a tragic, sad-faced old woman who might once have 
been tall and handsofme, but who now bends under the weight of 
suffering. She is meant to stand as a symbol of Armenia. 

Seem A (See'-ma), a beautiful Armenian girl of nineteen, Stephen's bride. 

KusHTA (Kush'-ta), a pale little girl of from nine to twelve years of age. 

Four Young Girls, wedding guests. 

Four Young Girls, sufferers from famine. 

A young man or woman who can play the flute or vioHn. 

In case there is need to reduce the number of players, the wedding 
guests in the first scene may ''double" as the soldiers and sufferers from 
famine in the last scene. This will make the number of players necessary 
seventeen. On the other hand, if desired, the number of wedding guests 
and soldiers may be increased to any number available. 



Costumes 

BoGHOS Keuleyan — Dark, American suit with old-fashioned Prince 
Albert coat. The seams of the trousers may be taken in so as 
gradually to shape the leg of the trouser down to a tight-fitting 
angle. He wears white stockings and low black house slippers. He 
wears no collar, but a black silk handkerchief may be folded about 
his neck and tucked in under the vest. On his head is worn con- 
tinually the typical red fez, without the tassel. 

Stephen Keuleyan — Ordinary American business suit with Armenian 
red fez worn continually. His costume for the wedding scene may be 
rented from the Interchurch World Movement,* or he may 
appear in a festive Armenian costume of red bloomer-like trousers 
fitted down to a tight ankle, a red and gold striped overcoat, tight 
fitting in the body, with a flaring skirt. The sleeves flare at the wrist 
and are made with the stripe running around the arm. The coat is 
finished with a small collar, like a shirt band. It is fastened tightly 
across the breast to the waist, hanging loose from the waist down. 
He wears a wide soft girdle of black and gold stripes, white 
stockings, and low black house slippers. The fez on this occasion 
is ornamented with a roll of blue and gold striped material twisted 
about the edge. 

Garabed, Manoog, Marcos — ^Costumes similar to that worn by Boghos. 

William Ayer — He wears a much- worn khaki uniform, with a heavy 
sweater instead of a coat. 

NooRiL — Dervish costume; large, circular, dirty white cape with monk- 
like hood attached. The cape hangs to the floor and completely 
shrouds the figure. The cowl is pulled down over the face. Under 
this garment are worn ragged dirty, white bloomer-like trousers 
reaching to ankles, and a ragged white shirt. He is barefooted. 

Wedding Guests — 'Costumes similar to that worn by Stephen at the 
wedding, only of darker colors, dull striped or flowered chintz being 
used with bright girdles of contrasting colors. Fezes worn by 
Armenian men are not tasseled, nor are they ornamented. 

Ali and Soldiers — Soft felt, pointed shoes ; ordinary dark trousers with 
strips of dark cloth wound soldier spiral- fashion to the knees ; large, 
loose, single-breasted overcoats, and twisted girdles of bright scarfs 
stuck full of dirk-like knives. If possible, a belt of cartridges across 
the breast. Fezes of heavy black cloth, large and clumsy in appear- 
ance. Long guns are strapped across their backs. They wear large 
mustachios. All's turban is of white cloth. 

Mother Armenia — A plain tight waist of faded dark print over a bifur- 
cated skirt of a brighter color of chintz. A full apron of black cloth 
tied around the waist, dark striped scarf softly folded around the 



*Address The Interchurch World Movement, Sales Department, 45 West 18th 
Street, New York, "N. Y. 



waist as a girdle. A square of black silkoline or silk with a small 
colored spot, folded three-cornerwise and worn low over the fore- 
head, one end of it being shorter than the other; the long end is 
wound around the neck under the chin. 

Seem A — An Armenian bridal costume may be rented from the Interchurch 
World i^Iovement, or the following costume may be worn : a long 
straight slip, sleeveless, of black material, with a deep border of red 
and gold. Over this a jacket of red velvet, embroidered with gold, 
or a long overcoat of red with simulated gold embroidery; a veil, two 
yards long and three-quarters of a yard wide, of red silkoline with 
deep bands of gold embroidered on the ends ; black stockings ; red 
Turkish slippers. Seema's hair is braided in two braids hanging over 
her shoulders in front. The hair of the other young women is con- 
cealed by their veils. 

KuSHTA — Bright red calico dress made in Mother Hubbard style, but- 
toning in front; kerchief of darker red fastened over her head and 
hair like a Red Cross veil. She is barefooted. 

Young Women — Slips of figured calico, with coats, some of red and 
cream-colored material, and some of red and cream stripes. Their 
veils are of figured silkoline and cream-colored silkoline with red 
borders. They wear white stockings and low slippers. Their hair is 
concealed by their veils. They wear the same garments, torn and 
soiled, for the second scene. 

Stage Properties 

A charcoal brazier such as Armenians use 

A number of tapestries and bright-colored shawls 

A table 

A large, backless, low divan 

A low window-seat 

One American rocker 

Two American chairs 

Six cushions 

An old-fashioned, plain, kerosene lamp 

An earthen bowl for flowers 

A bunch of red flowers 

A pitcher and drinking cup 

A small basin 

Some white bandages 

Three brass candlesticks and a candle 

Two small packages (wedding gifts) 

A number of long cigarettes 

A rag doll 

A part of a loaf of bread 

A cabinet or brace of shelves 

An old rifle 



Note to Stage Director 

There is nothing in the construction of this play which would pre- 
clude its being given out-of-doors. A note on the program could state 
the setting and change of scene. In changing the set from the first to the 
second scene, simply turn out the lights. In case of matinee performance, 
this may be done in full view of the audience, as is customary in open air 
playing. In case of out-of-door production, the setting and entrances 
would be exactly the same as indicated on the diagram for indoor pro- 
duction, except that green shrubs would be used instead of the walls of the 
room. If a box set is not available, screens will do to form the room. 
Whatever is used, the color should be neutral because of the brilliancy of 
hangings and costumes. If the pageant is given out-of-doors at night, the 
artistic effect will be heightened if the guests carry torches in procession. 
The effect of shots off stage is produced by striking a piece of leather with 
a rod. The stroke is light for the first shots in the distance, and becomes 
heavier as the firing increases. 



Back drop 






RE 







Door-. 



Yfindotrp 



Brextsr on Table-i\ 



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.g^ 




Cushions 



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dack less and 
hiY (^roup gction fakes 
place on audience sider 




Left 



Front 



Diagram of Stage 

Stage Terms 
C. means Center; R., Rlghi; L., Leit; R. C, Right of Center; L. C.,^ 
Left of Center; L. E., Left Entrance; R. E., Right Entrance; R. U. E., 
Right Upper Entrance (back stage). 

Left and Right mean left and right of the actor as he faces the audience. 
Down Stage means doivn toward the footlights or audience. 
Up Stage means up toivard the hack of the stage. 



THE RED FLOWER 

Scene I 

Time : The spring of ig20 
A living-room in the home of Boghos Keuleyan not far from the 
village of Aintah. The room is furnished in the Armenian fashion, 
cushions and richly colored rugs and tapestries on walls and floor. 
There is a charcoal brazier near R. U . E. but it is not lighted. In 
strange contrast to this Oriental setting are two straight-backed 
American chairs placed R. C. and an American rocker toward L. C. 
There are cushions placed near the chairs. During the scene, chairs 
and cushions may be moved as the action requires. 
There is an entrance at Center Back, at Left, at Right and at Right 
Upper. The door at Left is supposed to lead to the dining-room and 
kitchen, the doors at Right and Right Upper are supposed to lead to 
the sleeping-rooms. Through the zvindows which are Right and Left 
of the door at Center, may be seen the back drop which discloses a 
bit of Armenian scenery, suggesting the outlying part of the 
village. 

It is one of the homes that has not yet been touched by the desola- 
tion of the famine, though soon after the curtain rises the spectre 
begins to make itself felt. 

As the curtain rises Boghos Keuleyan is seen entering door C. carry- 
ing a bunch of red flowers in his hand. 

Boghos: Kushta! 

Kushta: (From within L.) Yes, Uncle Boghos. 

Boghos: Is everything ready for the wedding feast? 

Kushta: (Appearing at door L.) Yes, Uncle, everything is ready. Haven't 
I been a good girl ? 

Boghos: You have, indeed, my little Kushta. (He crosses L. and places 
flowers on the window-seat.) 

Kushta : You did not wait for the others ? 

Boghos: No, I hurried away from the church to help you set the table. 
Is the soup-bowl there in its place ? 

Kushta : Yes, and all the spoons. 

Boghos : That is well. 

Kushta: (Coming toward C.) Will not Stephen and Seema be surprised 
when they come in and find such a beautiful feast? 

Boghos : They will indeed. 

Kushta: Uncle Boghos — 



BoGHos: (Who has started to cross toward door L. hut stops and turns as 
Kushta speaks) Yes? 

Kushta: Uncle Boghos, why were Stephen and Seema married in the 
night-time hke this? 

Boghos: {Showing that there is a reason zuhich he does not wish to ex- 
plain to the child) You ask too many questions, child. 

Kushta: Please, Uncle Boghos, why? Everybody gets married in the 
daytime — in the bright sunlight. Besides, the wedding day was set 
for to-morrow. 

Boghos: {Partly explaining, yet showing by his manner that he is not 
revealing all) In the distant province where Seema's people lived be- 
fore they moved to this village, it was the ancient custom to marry 
at midnight. 

Kushta : And Seema has remembered about it all these years, even though 
she has lived at the American Mission ever since her father and 
mother died? 

Boghos : Yes, she remembered. At the mission they taught her to love 

America, but they did not teach her to love her own country less. 
Kushta: Stephen, too, loves his country even though he has been to 

college in America. But see. Uncle, {Kushta goes to the door L. and 

throws it open.) there ! Isn't that beautiful? 
Boghos : {Looking in and being extravagant in his expression to show 

his appreciation of Kushta' s effort) Just like a banquet in a fairy tale! 

Kushta: {Suddenly realizing that something is missing) Oh, but there 
are no flowers. I was afraid to go out by the roadside to gather them. 
The Turkish soldiers are everywhere. 

Boghos: {Lowering his voice) And you have need to be cautious. No 
Christian girl is safe in our streets to-day. But see, I have kept these 
in water all day. {He crosses to the window-seat and lifts up the 
large bunch of red flowers. ) 

Kushta: {Delightedly) The Fountain's Blood! In blossom so soon? 

BoGHOS : The spring is early this year. Bring me that earthen jar, child. 
{His hands being -filled with the flozvers, Kushta runs to the shelves 
and, from the lower one, takes an earthen jar and comes back to C.) 

Kushta : Here it is. Uncle. 

They sit on the floor and talk as they arrange the flowers, separating 
the withered stalks from those that have survived. 

BoGHOS : Thank you, little one. The mountain-side is red with them. 

Kushta : They are so beautiful. Oh, see this one. {Lifting a particularly 
fine blossom up above her head) 



BoGHos : Have I ever told you, Kushta, what I have often thought about 

these flowers? 
Kushta : No, Uncle. 
BoGHOS : See how red they are ? 
Kushta: Like blood! 

BoGHOS : ( With a suggestion of tragedy in his voice) Like blood ! And I 
have often thought that they take their color from the blood of mas- 
sacred Armenians. 

Kushta : Oh, Uncle ! 

BoGHOS : Yes, my child. There is hardly a foot of ground in Armenia 
that has not at one time or another been soaked with Christian blood. 

Kushta : And that is why these flowers are red ? 

BoGHos: (Bringing himself back from the half -r every in which he has 
been speaking) That is only my fancy, Kushta. 

Kushta : But you have grown so sad. 

BoGHos: It is not when the flower is red that I grow sad. When the 
blood flows, death comes quickly. It is when I see it withering and 
drying and dying by the roadside, like this. (He picks up the with- 
ered stalks that have been laid aside.) It is then that I feel the 
deepest anguish for my stricken country. (The face of Kushta sad- 
dens, and she is beginning to cry.) There, there, child, we are for- 
getting about the wedding feast. (He picks up the withered stalks 
and lays them again on the window-seat. Kushta buries her face in 
the flowers and caresses them. Boghos returns to C. and gently 
lifting the earthen jar, places it on table R. C.) Is there anything 
for a salad ? 

Kushta: (Rising) Marta says she has a few greens that she found at the 
end of the garden. She says it might do if there was another egg to 
spread over the top of it. 

Boghos: (Importantly) Did you not hear the speckled hen cackle to-day? 
Kushta: No, Uncle. Why did I not hear her cackle? 
Boghos: (With a touch of shrezudness) Because I keep the hen-house 
muffled. I cover it with straw and weeds. 

Kushta : Why do you do that ? 

Boghos : When an egg arrives, it is not well to advertise the fact too 
loudly. They are great braggers, those hens. 

Kushta: Now we have two eggs for the top of the salad! 

Boghos: (With a little twinkle in his eye) Tell Marta to boil them very 
hard and chop them very fine. Then, if they are sprinkled over the 
top of the salad with great care, it will look like more than two eggs. 

9 



Kushta: Yes, Uncle. {She turns and looks ruefully at the brazier.) 
Shall I light the charcoal, Uncle Boghos ? I know how. 

BoGHos: No. There will be no need of it. There is no coffee. But that 
does not matter. (Kushta exits L. to dining-room. There is a knock 
on the door C. Three patriarchal figures enter. They are Garabed, 
Margos, and Manoog, neighbors and ''cronies" of Boghos. They each 
carry a parcel.) Good evening, good evening, neighbors, you are 
welcome. 
They salute each other after the manner of Armenians, by bringing 
the hand upward to the forehead, with a scooping outward curving 
movement. 
Garabed : Good evening, Boghos. 
Boghos: {Genially) Well, well, I am glad to see you. 

Manoog: Good evening. {Handing the package to Boghos) I have brought 
a little gift for Seema from my wife. 

Boghos: {Taking the package) You are very kind. 

Manoog : It is some barley flour. 

Boghos : That is a good gift nowadays. 

Margos: {Coming a little forward toward Boghos, who is slightly C.) I 
could not give you anything so precious. Our barley flour is all gone. 
But here are my grandfather's brass candlesticks. We have no one 
now to pass them on to, so they are to be Seema's. 

Garabed : {Handing Boghos a package) And here is the shawl that was to 
have been Araxi's wedding gift. 

Boghos : Thank you, thank you. {He crosses to L. U., places the packages 
on the window-seat and is busying himself finding a place for the can- 
dlesticks on the shelves. He speaks as he does so.) You are very 
kind. Make yourselves comfortable. {While he is busy there, Gara- 
bed, Margos, and Manoog look around for a place to sit down, and the 
most prominent things confronting them are the three Americaii 
chairs. They walk around them observing them curiously, then 
stand undecidedly stroking their beards. Boghos turns, and ob- 
serving them, begins a smile that finally ends in a chuckle.) Do you 
not like these American chairs ? 

Manoog : Oh yes, they are very nice — but they look uncomfortable. Wihere 
did you get them ? 

Boghos : My son Stephen sent them from America when he was there at 
college. 

Margos : I have not seen them before. 

Boghos: They have been in his room. I brought them in for the wed- 
ding. Try them. 

10 



. Manoog goes rather cautiously to the straight-hacked chair R. of C. 
and finding it hears his weight, decides to sit on it. 
Manoog : It is not so bad — but it makes me feel a little flighty. 
Margos: (Sitting in the other chair R. of C. and pretending to he un- 
concerned, though it is plain that he is not any too comfortahle. Bog- 
hos suppresses a sly chuckle.) I find it is very comfortable indeed. 
Garabed: {Going to the rocker L. of C. and sitting in it cautiously.) 
Stephen loves everything American, doesn't he ? 

Manoog: I shall never forget his letters from Northfield. How we al- 
ways enjoyed them. {He slides down from his chair on to a cushion 
toward C.) 

Margos : {Also sliding down from his chair) It must be wonderful to be 
young, and to go to strange lands. But it is harder, as you get older, 
to change your habits. 

Garabed : ( Who has heen rocking gently, tips a hit too far hack and gives 
up the rocker, sliding down on to the cushion nearest C, while the 
others slyly enjoy his loss of dignity.) America is a great country, 
but I don't like her chairs. Give me a cushion ! It is steadier. 

Kushta: {At door L.) Oh, Uncle Boghos! {She sees the guests and 
shyly bows to them.) 

BoGHOS : Well, what is it ? 

Kushta : I forgot to tell you. Mr. Ayer was here while you were out. 

Boghos : Oh, I'm glad of that. Will he be back ? 

Kushta : Yes, he said he'd be back. He's going to bring me a dolly. ( To 

Kushta's joy, Manoog, Margos, and Garahed utter exclamations of 

astonished delight at this news.) 

BoGHos: Does Stephen know that Mr. Ayer is in Aintab? 
Kushta: No. He wants to surprise him. {She exits at door L.) 
Boghos: Mr. Ayer is a young clergyman who has come to join the Amer- 
ican Mission here. He and my son were classmates at Mt. Hermon. 
Garabed : What news does he bring from America ? 

Boghos : The missionaries there are working hard. The Near East Re- 
lief is straining every nerve. But — ah, well — 

Garabed: But what? 

Boghos: But America is not fully awakened. They cannot realize the 
horror here. 

Manoog : Well, how can we blame them ? Until you see such things with 
your own eyes you cannot believe them to be true. 

Garabed : What is to become of us ? 

11 



BoGHOS: But the Americans who are here, and who know — ^how they 
are working ! 

As the men talk, they light their long cigarettes zvhich Boghos passes 
around. Their speech is serious, tinged with a certain hopelessness. 
Boghos goes to divan, sitting at end nearest C. 

Garabed : We are fortunate in getting Mr. Ayer here. How did he hap- 
pen to choose Aintab? 

Boghos : The ways of God are strange. Stephen and he knew each other 
first at Mt. Hermon. After leaving college they did not meet again 
until — one night they found each other on a battlefield in France. 

Margos: Well, well, how remarkable! 

Boghos : Young Ayer was wounded — bleeding to death. My boy found 
him, carried him to his dug-out, and saved his life. 

Margos : Well, well, well ! And now they are in Armenia together ! 
Boghos : Yes. Mr. Ayer went back to America when the war was over, 
but he heard the cry of Armenia and came here. He is a noble lad. 

M ANOOG : And Stephen hasn't seen him yet ? 

Boghos: No, Stephen has been away, at Harpoot. This will be a great 
surprise for him. Stephen and he will work out much good together. 

(Margos : We old ones can only go on dreaming. It is the young men who 
have the vision and the power to do. 

Boghos : There may still be work for you, Garabed, — for us. {Looking at 
the three. There is much meaning in his voice. All the men look at 
him, expecting him^ to say more. The door R. opens and Mother^ 
Armenia enters.) Hush-sh-sh. {Mother Armenia passes slowly from 
Right to Left. She carries a candlestick without a candle in her hand. 
The men continue to smoke, and as she passes to Left they speak in 
somewhat lowered tones.) Poor Mother Armenia! Her span of life 
is nearly run. 

Mother Armenia exits L. 

Manoog : Her step grows slower each day. 

Margos : And yet, even to-day I saw her in the village bringing bits of 
food to the starving children. 

Boghos: To me she stands as a symbol of our poor country itself — 
Armenia. 

Manoog: I shall never forget that terrible night when we found them, 
little Kushta and Mother Armenia, starving by the roadside. 

Garabed : That was before I came here. I don't think I have ever heard 
who she is. 

12 



BoGHOS: When the Turks drove the Armenians on that terrible march 
through the desert, she was one of those who fell behind, too weak to 
go farther. We found her on the side of the road. She could not 
remember her name so we called her Mother Armenia. Little Kushta 
was lying near her. 

Garabed: The village folk say she is demented. 

BoGHOS : Sometimes she seems so, and sometimes she seems inspired. Her 
mind wanders and she becomes vague, and then again she will utter 
the most wonderful truths. For the most part she says little, but 
just croons the old, sad songs of Armenia. 

Garabed: Must we go on enduring forever? 

Margos : Boghos, what did you mean just now when you said that there 
might still be work for us old men to do? 

BoGHos: (First goes toward door L. to make sure that M^other Armenia 
will not hear.) A courier from Beirut brings bad news to-day. {The 
moment is dramatic. The men search the face of Boghos eagerly.) 

Garabed : What does he say ? 

BoGHOs: That there will soon be more massacres. 

Margos : How can there be ? The Sultan fears Aimerica and will not dare 
to order further slaughter. 

Boghos: He may not order it himself, but if without his consent there 
should be another massacre, — well, there will be still fewer Chris- 
tians left in his path. 

Margos : Whom have we to fear ? 

Boghos : Mustapha Kemal. 

Margos : Mustapha Kemal ? What power has he ? 

Boghos : The unwritten consent of the Sultan. 

Manogg: Of course. It's plain enough. 

Boghos : It's the same old story ! He tricks the great nations into trusting 
him — and then goes right on with his bloody work. 

Manoog : Planning for the death of more Christians, while all over Ar- 
menia there rises the stench of bodies still unburied ! 

Garabed : Those who have gone mad from hunger are cooking and eat- 
ing the bodies of those already dead from starvation. 

Manoog : And fathers and mothers are killing themselves, so that as or- 
phans their children may be fed. 

Margos : Blackness, blackness everywhere ! 

Garabed : Boghos, do you know that there has been much criticism in the 
village about your giving this wedding feast to-night ? 

13 



BoGHOs: (With dignity) What are they saying? 

Garabed : That it doesn't look well, with famine all around, for you to set 

forth such a feast. 
BoGHOs: (Standing majestically in thevr midst) Neighbors, should any 

hungry eyes look in through my window to-night, they will gaze upon 

a phantom feast ! 

Garabed: What do you mean? 

BoGHOs: There is no food in the house. Not enough for one man's 
dinner. 

Manoog: Then why did you invite all those young people here? 
BoGHOS : To keep their spirits up for a Httle while longer. When the smile 

has faded from the face of the young, then indeed will our country's 

heart be broken. 
MIargos : That smile is nearly gone now. 
BoGHOs: They will gather here to-night dressed in their gay clothes, but 

the spectre of death hangs over every one of them. 

Garabed : But why did you have the marriage at midnight ? That, too, is 
causing comment. The date was set for to-morrow. 

BoGHos : (In a voice zvhich fills the others with hushed awe) Because — 
if what I have heard to-day is true, God only knows what may hap- 
pen in this village before to-morrow. (The men rise to their feet.) 

Manoog : We must be prepared. We must return to our homes. 

BoGHos : Yes, go home now — but do not sleep to-night ! 

As they go out, each one making the customary salutation. Mother 
Armenia crosses back from L. to R. carrying the candlestick which 
now has a lighted candle in it. As Boghos turns again after closing 
the door, singing is heard (see page 36), accompanied by tam- 
bourines, flutes, and drums (a violin and cornet would also be in 
character) . A procession of young people in gay Armenian costumes 
enters. Four young men and four young women lead in the bride 
and groom. The bride keeps her veil down. Boghos salutes each 
guest by bowing deeply, sweeping the hand up to the forehead with 
the movement already described, as he bids each guest welcome. 

Young Guest : Good evening. Father Boghos. 

Another Guest: (Laughing) Or is it morning? 

There is general laughing and talking. 

Third Guest: (As bride and groom are led to seats on the divan.) Let 
us wish the bride and groom a glad new day. 

BoGHOs: (Genially) Come, let us have the rest of the song I heard out- 
side. Who was playing for you? 

I 14 . , , , 



All: Antranig! Antranig! (// a young woman, the name given may be 
Marie.) 

The flute or violin player steps forward and all the company join in 
finishing the song zvhich was begun outside. As the song ends, Bog- 
hos and the bride and groom applaud heartily. 
BoGHOs: Come, I have a fine banquet prepared. You are all invited. 
All: (Catching his spirit of pretended gaiety) A banquet, a banquet! 
How wonderful ! How very wonderful ! ( These speeches may be 
divided up among the different characters, so as to give the effect of a 
general murmur of conversation as the young people exeunt into the 
dining-room L. As their voices die down, Mother Armenia from^ 
within R. is heard crooning this sad old song, and the effect must 
come out in strong contrast to the gaiety of the young people.) 
Mother Armenia: {Singing, from within R. See page 38.) 
Savage sea make answer ! Why be silent more ? 
Wilt not lament with one whose heart is sore? 
And you, ye Zephyrs, hurl the waters high 
That I may feed them from a mourner's eye. 

Boghos stands in the center of the room listening partly to the mur- 
mur of the voices of the young people and partly to the song of\ 
Mother Armenia. Finally he crumples, goes to the divan, and bowing 
his head in his hands, sobs. 
BoGHOS: Only a few more days, perhaps, and some of them will be 
dead from starvation. Day and night I see nothing before me but 
the eyes, the sad, hopeless eyes of the starving children by the road- 
side. (In anguish) Oh, Armenia, my country, the whole world has 
forgotten you ! ( There is a knock at the door. Boghos pulls himself 
together and goes to the door. William Ayer, the young American 
missionary, enters.) Mr. Ayer, you are most welcome. Is there any 
news ? 
William : Yes, I have some good news. 
Boghos : There will be food soon ? 

William : A shipment of food from America has reached Beirut. 
Boghos : Thank God ! How can we ever tell you how grateful we are. 
William : That is not necessary, we know it. If you only knew how we 

wish we could do more! 
Boghos : Will the provisions soon be brought from Beirut ? 
William : They should be here in a few days — unless — 
Boghos : (Apprehensively) Unless what ? 

William : Unless they are intercepted by Mustapha Kemal's men. 

15 



BoGHOS: And about to-night — do you think they will carry out their 
plan? 

William : (Walks a few paces to R. and then turns toward Boghos. His 
manner is very serious.) Things look threatening. We are in great 
danger. I came especially to tell you this. 

The door opens L. and Kushta puts her head in. 

Kushta: {Playfully to William) Peek! 

William: (His face lights up at sight of the child.) You little rogue! 
(Kushta comes running out, and as William takes her hands she 
swings back and forth, holding on to his hands) What do you sup- 
pose I have for you? 

Kushta : A doll ! 

William : How did you guess it ? 

Kushta : Because you promised it, and you never break your promise ! 
William produces from his pocket a bland-looking rag doll, and gives 
it to Kushta who hugs it. 

William: What shall we call her? 

Kushta : Call her after me — Kushta. 

William : Where did you ever get that funny name ? 

Kushta : I don't know. 

BoGHOS : It was all we could make out of the name she gave us when she 
came to us. Whatever her name was, she could not pronounce it, so 
Kushta she will always be. 

Kushta : (Referring to the doll) Isn't she beautiful ! 

William : (Eying the doll critically) Well, I'd hardly call her beautiful, 
but she looks dependable. (They all laugh.) 

BoGHos: (To Kushta) Run in and show it to Stephen, and tell him there 

is some one out here who wishes to see him. 
Kushta: All right. (She runs L. and exits.) 
William : How much does Stephen know of the situation here? 
Boghos : I have not told him of the rumors we have heard to-day. 
William : It is just as well ; they might not be true. But, Ali, this Captain 

of Mustapha Kemal's, is acting very suspiciously. 
Boghos : Ali ? Once that man followed Seema to our very door. ( Thought- 
fully) It is well that we hastened this marriage. 
William : (Pacing about) There is no need to spoil Stephen's happiness 
to-night. Our people have taken every possible precaution. 
Kushta enters, dragging Stephen by the hand. She runs a few steps 
toward center with Stephen, and, as the two young men see each 
other, she runs off R. and exits. 

16 



Stephen: (Delighted and surprised) Well, well, well, upon my word! 

Boghos goes out door L. 

William : Hello, Steve, old boy. 

Stephen : Well, well, you old scout ! Who ever expected to see you in 
Armenia ! 

William: Who ever expected to see you rigged up Hke this? I'm sur- 
prised at you. 

Stephen : (Posing) How do you like me? 

William : You're a beauty. 

Stephen : Some togs, don't you think? 

William : What would the fellows we knew at Mt. Hermon say if they 
could see you now ? 

Stephen : (Laughing) Wouldn't they have a fit, eh? 

William : Where's that old red sweater you used to wear with Mt. Her- 
mon written across it? 

Stephen: (With sentiment) It's folded away with all my American 

souvenirs. 
William : (Sobering down) Well, after all, it's your old traditions and 

ceremonies that give your land its flavor. 

Stephen : Come over here and sit down. (Indicating the rocker while 
he himself takes a chair.) 

William : (As he walks toward rocker) You are sure this is not a rude 

interruption at this moment? 
Stephen : Oh, no, my guests will understand ; they will excuse me. When 

did you come ? 

They both sit doivn in comfortable American fashion, one with his 
legs crossed, the other leaning forward, his hands clasped, resting 
his forearms on his knees. 
William : I have been here a month. 
Stephen : I got back from Harpoot yesterday, but they did not tell me you 

were here. 
William : I asked them not to ; I wanted to take you by surprise. 
Stephen : Well, you've done it all right. It seems mighty good to see 

you. Where have you been since I saw you last? 
William : After the armistice I went back to America for my ordination. 

I did some work over there with the Near East Relief, and then I 

realized that I was needed over here. 
Stephen : How it brings back the old days at Northfield to see you again ! 
William : And seeing you brings back the days in France — when you kept 

me alive till help came. 

17 



Stephen: (Waving the idea aside) Oh cut that! It was nothing. You'd 
have done the same for me. I'm thinking of Northfield. Do you 
remember the old sunset tree and that view of the valley with the 
Connecticut River flowing through it? 

William: (Catching Stephen's spirit) Yes, and the old white house 

where Moody lived. 
Stephen : Moody ! There was a great American, William. 
William : Yes. I wish that America to-day had fewer politicians and more 

Mjoodys. (His look becomes serious.) 
Stephen : Why do you look so serious ? 
William : I am thinking about the mandate. 
Stephen : You think America will refuse it? 
William : I am afraid so. 
Stephen : I am sure she will take it over. The heart of America never 

fails. 
William : But the head — ^the pohticians get confused. 

Stephen : William, the whole civilized world has looked on and seen 

Armenia butchered — 
William : It seems unbelievable ! 

Stephen : — for century after century, and no one has protested. 
William : It is beyond belief ! 

Stephen : That's just it, William, it is beyond belief. Had the thing been 
less horrible, the mind of the civilized world might have grasped it. 

William : The world was comfortable, Steve, and there are none so 
hard-hearted as the comfortable. 

Stephen : (Fired with love for his country) And what a land it is ! It is 
here the great, mysterious Spirit back of all things first forged its 
way through into human life. 

William : Yes, yours is the land of the Garden of Eden, of Mount Ara- 
rat, Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane! But Steve, your 
land belongs to us, too — to all Christians. It makes us realize that 
we are all one life, one blood, one brotherhood all over the world. 

Stephen : And yet, through all the centuries, while Armenia has bled to 
hold the faith of the One who taught that doctrine, the Christian 
world has looked on — and let us bleed. 

William : I know it. I used to read in the papers as part of my morning 
news, "Another Armenian Massacre," and even I went right on about 
my own affairs — ^think of it — and did nothing. (He bows his head in 
his hands. After a moment he lifts his head.) That night near 
Chateau Thierry, when I was bleeding to death, and you, in spite of 

18 



your own wound, crawled out to me where I was lying helpless under 
the sky — then I realized — and it all came over me as a sort of a reve- 
lation, how men must help each other. 

There is a fumbling noise and a low moaning and scrambling at the 
door C. Stephen opens the door, and there enters Nooril, a dirty, 
half-naked creature. He is a begging dervish, who comes in limping 
pitifully, 

Nooril: Water! Water! (He looks wildly around.) No, no, this is 
the home of Christian dogs ! (He starts to go out, but falls and is 
unable to rise. The two young men lift him gently and place him on 
the divan. Stephen picks up a cushion from the floor and puts it 
under his head. Nooril becomes unconscious. William observes thai 
his foot is bleeding.) 

William : His foot is bleeding. 

Stephen : Seema has learned nursing at the American mission. She 

will know just what to do. (He goes to the door L. and calls.) Seema ! 

(He speaks in a low voice as though explaining.) 

William : (As Stephen comes back to the divan) That's a pretty bad- 
looking foot. 

Nooril : (Moaning and unconscious) They are Christian dogs ! 

William : These poor fanatical fellows, how they have been taught to 
hate us. 

Stephen : (Adjusting the cushion under Nooril' s head) And yet, do you 
know, William, I have many friends among the Mohammedans. 
When things are normal, and the religious hatred is not stirred, they 
are fine fellows, many of them. 

William : Of course they are. I have found that out, too. 

Stephen : But their teaching is to hate — hate — ^hate ! Their one desire is 
to exterminate all Christians, and when the word is given them, 
they rise en masse. (Seema appears at the door L. She carries a cup 
and pitcher of water. Her veil is still over her face. Stephen meets 
her, taking the cup from her hand.) It will be all right to throw 
back your veil here. (He throws the veil back.) William, this is my 
wife. Seema, this is Mr. Ayer. You've heard me speak of him often. 

Seema : (Bowing, but not extending her hand) Indeed I have. I am glad 
to meet you. (She turns and sees Nooril.) Oh, it is Nooril! Poor 
Nooril; what has happened to him? 

Stephen : You know him? 

Seema: Yes, I know him well. He used to bring me lokooms when I 
was little. Oh, his foot is bleeding ! I must get some bandages. (She 

exits R.) 

19 



Stephen lifts NooriVs head and places the cup of water to his lips. 
William places the injured foot in a more comfortable position, as 
Stephen supports his head. 

William : {As Nooril tightens his lips, suppressing a groan) There, 
there, just a moment. It won't hurt. 

Stephen: What was it that happened to you, Nooril? 

Nooril: {Opening his eyes) I was standing on the diff, and a stray 

bullet struck my foot. 
William : A stray bullet ? 
Stephen : Who is using a gun ? 

Nooril: I do not know. It was a stray bullet and it struck me. {He closes 
his eyes again.) 

Stephen : Those first stray bullets are like the drops of rain that precede 
a heavy shower. There's something ominous about this. 

Seema reenters from R. with bandages. She is followed by Mother 
Armenia, zvho carries an earthen basin. Stephen pours water from 
the pitcher into the basin. Mother Armenia holds the basin, while 
Seema deftly bathes and bandages the zvound, William assisting, and 
Stephen holding Nooril against his shoulder. This is a very im- 
portant picture, as it expresses the spirit of Christianity. 

Seema: {As she works) Poor Nooril! {The dervish winces) There, 
Nooril, I won't hurt you — just a moment — there ! 

Nooril : {Looks around and opens his eyes wildly. Pushing the others 

aside, he rises.) I am in the house of Christian dogs ! 
William : We are trying to help you — as our Master would have us do. 
Nooril : There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet ! 
William : Well, we won't argue about that now. What you need is some 

food. {He takes from his pocket a morsel of bread. To Stephen) I 

brought this along thinking I might give it to some one on the way. 

This man seems to need it most just now. 
Stephen : Yes, he's pretty weak. 
William : Here, Nooril — this will do you good. 
Nooril : I'll eat no Christian bread. 
Stephen : You'd better take it. 
Nooril : No, no. 
Seema : ( Taking the bread from William's hand) Nooril, won't you take 

it from me? From Seema? See, it is wrapped in paper. We have 

not touched it with our hands. 

A softened look comes into the face of the dervish; he turns toward 
William and Stephen. 

20 



NooRiL : I have known her since she was so high. (Indicating the height 
of a little girl) Before these troublous times came she used to romp 
and play with me. 

Seema : Just think of it, and I was a terrible Christian ! 

Nooril: (To Stephen) Your father never passed me without a kind word 
— and Margos — he, too, has been good to me. 

Seema : And still you hate us. Why do you hate us, Nooril ? 

Nooril: (His face darkening again) Because you are Christians. There 
is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet ! (He goes limp- 
ing out.) 

Stephen : That is the burden of their creed. While they had the power 
of government, it was their religion to stamp us out. 

Mother Armenia: (Rising and taking the basin, bandages, water, near 
entrance R.) They killed my only son. (She exits R.) 

Seema : (After a moment of deep sympathy for Mother Armenia, which 
is expressed by the silence of all on the stage) I must return to our 
guests. 

Stephen : I shall be in presently. 

Seema bows to Mr. Ayer, and exits into room L. When she is gone, 
William comes to Stephen and speaks seriously. 

William : As soon as daylight comes, send the women to the Mission. 
They will be safer there. 

Stephen : It is almost daylight now. 

William : Don't alarm the guests, tell one or two of the young men, in- 
stead of taking the young girls home, to lead them straight to the 
mission. 

Stephen : Yes. The siege is on, or how would that dervish have got 
that random shot. Armenians have no guns. 

William : I'll hurry on ahead. 

The two young men shake hands, and William goes out Center door. 
Stephen exits L. and returns almost immediately accompanied by the 
wedding party. He is seen speaking in a low voice to one or two of 
the young men, who become suddenly grave. Stephen then joins 
Seema and Boghos who have moved to the door, and are saying 
good-bye to their guests, Seema kissing the hand of each guest. 
After they have gone, Boghos exits R. U. and the bride and groom 
are left alone. Stephen kisses Seema' s fingers with reverence, and 
leads her to the divan. 

Seema : I am so happy, Stephen. 

Stephen : And so am I, dear. 

21 



Seema : But should we — should we be so happy when our country is so 
sad? 

Stephen : We can help our country more by being happy than by being 

sad. Besides, help is coming from America. 
Seema : How I love America ! 

Stephen : Some day, when we get rich, I'll take you there, and you shall 
meet my friends. 

Seema : How wonderful that will be ! 

Stephen : Won't it, though ? 

Seema: (In happy excitement) Stephen, I am going to be a wonderful 

wife, — at the Mission they taught me so many things. 
Stephen : Let's see now, what can you do ? 
Seema : I can cook and sew, and I have been reading. Oh, while you have 

been away I have been studying and reading so that you should be 

proud of me. 
Stephen: (Gallantly) I have always been proud of you, Seema. How I 

used to dream of you when I was away off there in America! 

Seema : And I was always thinking of you. 

Stephen : Do you know when I first fell in love with you ? 

Seema: No. When was it? 

Stephen : When you were nine years old, and I was fifteen. You were 
standing against the sky on the top of the mountain. Your arms were 
full of those red wild flowers. (Pointing to the howl of flowers on 
the table) 

Seema: The Fountain's Blood? (A shot is heard faintly off stage. 
Stephen hears it, and grows uneasy, but does not communicate his 
fear to Seema. Boghos reenters from R. U. E., goes to door appre- 
hensively and listens. Then going to the cabinet, he takes frorn^ he- 
hind it a rusty old rifle and begins to examine the lock. Mother 
Armenia comes from R. and goes to window R. C. where she stands 
looking out. This action takes place during the following conversa- 
tion.) Then I shall always love that flower best of all the flowers that 
grow. 

Stephen : And so shall I. 

Seema : The planting will soon begin now. 

Stephen : It should begin but — (He stops to listen.) 

Seema: But what? 

Stephen : There is no seed. 

Seema : I had forgotten. The Turks have taken all our seed. 

22 



Stephen : And our fields must lie untilled while thousands starve. 

Suddenly more shots are heard in the distance. Startled cries are 
heard from the young girls who have just left the house. The wed' 
ding party has been attacked on the way to the mission. 

Mother Armenia: {Crying out) The Turks are at their work again! 

Stephen and Seema spring to their feet, Boghos goes hack to the 
door C.J gun in hand. A red glare is seen in the distance through 
the window. 

Seema: Mother Armenia, it is the dawn! 

Mother Armenia: It is not the dawn. Armenian skies have been red 
too many times with that same light. I know it well. I have lived 
more years than you have. The Turks have fired the village. 

Seema : May God protect us ! 

Mother Armenia : The Kurds have come down from the mountains. I 
can see their figures moving dark against the light. Oh, God, they 
are coming closer, closer, closer — 

Boghos lifts his gun to his shoulder, Stephen instinctively moves 
toward Seema, who crouches in his arms. Mother Armenia comes to 
C. and stands with face uplifted as if in silent prayer. 

Curtain 



26 



Scene II 

Place : Same as Scene I 

Time : A Week Later 

It is late afternoon, darkening to night as the action proceeds. The 
whole place is desolate-looking, as all the bright colored rugs, tapes- 
tries, etc., have been removed. The furniture remains about as it did 
in the first scene. The rocking-chair has been removed. Pieces of 
clothing are hanging about or throzvn on the window seat. The door 
stands wide open, the zvindows also are open, with panes smashed. 
A shaft of late sunshine falls across the floor, emphasizing the deso- 
lation. 

Mother Armenia is lighting the charcoal brazier. She goes to the 
cabinet, takes a small package of coffee, and pours water from an 
earthen pitcher into the pot. As she is doing this, there enters at 
door C. a thin, pale wraith of a girl, with wistful, staring eyes. She 
is followed by three others. Mother Armenia turns and sees them, 
and notices that they are watching her hungrily. 

Mother Armenia: I have nothing for you. Mr. Ayer brought this bit 
of coffee from the Mission for Kushta. 

First Girl : We would not want it. 

Mother Armenia: I know you wouldn't. But I wanted you to know 
tlat we are not holding back anything. 

Second Girl : Did they take away everything ? 

Mother Armenia : You see what is left. (Looking around the room) 

First Girl : Our house is empty, too. They took all the food we had. 

Mother Armenia : You were lucky to escape, yourselves. 

Second Girl: We hid in the clump of bushes near our house, and lay 
there all night, our hearts beating with fear. 

First Girl : Has there been any news of Seema ? 

Mother Armenia : Not a word. 

First Girl : And Boghos Keuleyan, has he not come yet ? 

Mother Armenia: No, he will never come again. 

First Girl : Oh ! 

Mother Armenia : He tried to defend her, and they killed him. 

First Girl : And Stephen ? 

Mother Armenia: They stunned him and left him for dead, but he is 
better now. 

First Girl : How is little Kushta? 

24 



Mother Armenia : She is very weak. This coffee has kept her alive. Mr. 
Ayer brought it himself from the mission. But even there they have 
very little of anything left. 

First Girl : Then they, too, may starve ? 

Mother Armenia : Unless help comes. 

First Girl: If help would only come! 

Mother Armenia: How long is it since you have eaten? 

First Girl : It is now four days ; but it is weeks since we have eaten 

enough. 
Mother Armenia : Poor children ! 

First Girl : I don't feel so hungry now, only I can't walk fast any more. 
Mother Armenia: Where would you walk? 

First Girl: {Hopelessly) I don't know. I think if we keep walking, 
walking, — somewhere we might find food. 

They league the door. As they do so, Margos enters. He is paler, 
and shows the effects of the suffering they have all been through. 

Mother Armenia : {Taking a cup from the shelf, and pouring coffee into 
it) Is there any news ? 

Margos: Mustapha Kemal's men are everywhere. More Kurds are 

coming down from the mountains. 
Mother Armenia : Any news from the mission ? 
Margos : Manoog heard they were now cut off from all help. 
Mother Armenia : They have dared to attack the Americans ? 
Margos : They have taken one of their teachers as hostage. 
Mother Armenia: I remember the other day at Urfa, when Corinna 

Shattuck — that great American woman — faced a mob of them and 

made them cower by the force of her courage. 

Margos : That was many years ago. 

Mother Armenia: (Vacantly) Was it? It was then that my boy was 

killed. I heard shooting a while ago ; what was it, do you know ? 
Margos: Mustapha Kemal's men tried to force our people to raise the 

Turkish flag. 
Mother Armenia: (Coming forward swiftly) Did they yield? 
Margos : Of course not. 

Mother Armenia: Then they were massacred? 
Margos: No, they managed to get some guns from the French garrison 

and they fought. 
Mother Armenia : How long can they hold out ? 

25 



Margos: They have already had to give up. Ali, Mustapha*s captain, 
brought up reinforcements, and our men had to give in, but they did 
not fly the Turkish flag. 

Mother Armenia : AU ? He is here now ? I know who he is. It was he 
who took Seema. I saw the struggle from the window. What is to 
become of us ! 

Margos: If they can get a message through from the American Mis- 
sion — . But all the Americans are known; they would have to have 
some one who could get by the Nationalist guards. 

Mother Armenia : I am afraid there isn't much hope of that. 

Margos: Mr. Ayer is trying to get a message to General Gaureaud 
through the Near East Relief at Aleppo. 

Mother Armenia : What can they do ? With Kemal's men all around us — 

Margos: They could send some French battalions from Killis. 

Mother Armenia : I have little hope. There is no one could get by the 

guards — 
Margos : It is getting more dangerous for Christians every hour. 
Mother Armenia: Mr. Ayer said there was food from America at 

Beirut. 
Margos: And with the French troops to protect it on the way here it 

would soon be distributed from the mission. 

A low moan is heard from room R. 
Mother Armenia : Then help may be here soon ? 
MIargos : It will not be easy to get the message through. KemaFs men are 

watching everywhere. 

Stephen enters from L. 
Stephen: How is Kushta? {Seeing Margos) Oh, how are you, Margos? 
Margos : All right. 

Stephen: {To Mother Armenia) How is Kushta? 
Mother Armenia : She is growing weaker. But if food comes, we may 

save her. 
Stephen: Poor little Kushta! {To Margos) Did you find out anything? 
Margos: Yes, I have some good news. 
Stephen : {Eagerly) She is alive? 
Margos : Yes. 

Stephen : And — is — is she safe ? 
Margos: Yes. 
Stephen : Thank God ! 
Mother Armenia : Thank God ! {Goes to window R.) 

26 



Stephen : Tell me what you have heard. 

Margos: On the night of the attack, when you were lying unconscious, 

All, one of .Mustapha Kemal's captains, took her — 
Mother Armenia : I saw him — 
Stephen : Go on ! 
Margos : She was struggling. 
Stephen : (Shudderingly) Oh — o — oh ! 
Margos : It was in trying to save her that your father was killed. 

Stephen : I know- — I heard him call— I could not stir — I could not an- 
swer — I don't remember anything after that. (Sits dozvn on divan L.) 

Margos : Ali gave her over to a dervish that was somewhere near, telling 

him to take her to a house up in the mountains and keep her there 

till he came. 
Stephen : (Bitterly) And this is the good news you have brought me? 
Margos : No, there is more. 

Stephen : (Impatiently and eagerly) What is it? Go on ! 
Margos : She has escaped — 

Stephen : (Springing up) How do you know that? 
Margos : She has been seen in the village. 
Stephen : (Tensely) Are you sure? Who saw her? 
Margos : Manoog. She motioned to him not to appear to recognize her. 
Stephen : Then she is somewhere in the village now, trying to make her 

way back home! 
Margos : That is it. 

Stephen : Then I'll go and search for her. 
Margos: No, Kemal's men are on the watch for her, and if she didn't 

want to be seen with Manoog it would be doubly dangerous to be seen 

with you. They are watching for you and would shoot you. (He 

goes out.) 
Stephen : It would be better if she were dead ! 

Kushta has entered weakly from stage R. and has listened to the last 

part of Stephen's speech. 
Kushta : Stephen ! 

Stephen : (Looking up and going to her in greeting) Yes, Kushta. 
Kushta : Pray that God will bring her back. 
Stephen : I can't pray — any more, Kushta. 
Kushta : Do you think God would hear my prayer ? 
Stephen : I don't know. Sometimes I think — 

27 



Kushta: You think what? 

Stephen : That there is no God. 

Outside on the street children are heard crying. 

Children : We are hungry ! We are hungry ! 

Mother Armenia: (Leaving window R. W. and coming to Center, a 
peculiar, insane look in her eyes) Listen! {The children repeat the 
cry.) Ha, ha ! There is a God — but he has gone mad, raving mad — and 
he is whirling us all around in this mad, mad dance! Armenia is the 
cradle of the human race. We are right at the source — and here — we 
feel it most. 

Kushta : Oh, Mother Armenia, please, please don't speak like that. 

Mother Armenia: {Wildly) Through centuries of oppression, Armenia 
has held the light of faith for all the world— and now those prosper- 
ous Christian nations — they leave us to struggle on — in the dark — 
alone with the Turk. {Turns toward window R. W.) 

Stephen: {Alarmed at this outbreak) Mother Armenia, those are wild 
words. 

Mother Armenia: {Facing him) And yours were wild words too. 

Stephen: {With face and arms uplifted) I know it. I didn't mean it. 

Perhaps I am going mad too. 
Mother Armenia : No wonder. Millions of our people are crying for 

bread — and nobody hears, not even God himself. 

More people are heard outside crying. 
The People : We are hungry ! We are hungry ! 

They are all silent for a moment as they listen to this terrible cry. 

Then Kushta takes Mother Armenia by the hand and leads her to 

the divan where Stephen is sitting, his head in his hands. Kneeling 

dozvn beside them she prays. 

Kushta: {Praying) I pray to God that Seema will come back to us safe. 

I pray to God for food. I pray for the soul of my dear Uncle Bog- 

hos, and for all my playmates who died last week. And if anything 

should happen to me, I pray to God to take care of my dolly. 

{As she finishes the prayer both Stephen and Mother Armenia are 

weeping.) 

Stephen : Little Kushta, you are the proof of God's love. My faith grows 

strong again. 
Mother Armenia: Oh, it is I who went mad. I know that God will not 
let us perish. 

Margos returns to the door. 

Stephen : What news ? 

28 



Margos : I just met Manoog outside. He has made his way from the mis- 
sion. Mr. Ayer wants you at once. He has news of Seema, but he 
needs your help. 

Mother Armenia : But they'll kill you. 

MJARGOS : I can get him through safely. Some of them know me, and are 
not so badly disposed toward me. 

Stephen : Come, let us go. You will be safe here, Mother Armenia — 

Mother Armenia : We are as safe here as anywhere. 

KuSHTA : I am not afraid. 

Stephen : I will try to bring some food. If Seema should return before I 
get back do what you can for her, Mother Armenia. 

Mother Armenia: I will. Stephen, be careful not to anger any of them; 
they would run you through with their bayonets. 

Stephen : Don't worry. We'll get through all right. 

Mother Armenia : God protect you ! 

Kushta sits C. weakly rocking hack and forth and crooning to her 
doll. She has unconsciously taken up the tune of ''Savage Sea Make 
Answer/' Stephen and Margos exeunt. 
Mother Armenia: {Turning to Kushta) That's a sad song for a child to 
be singing. 

Kushta : I have heard you sing it often. It is always in my ears. 

Mother Armenia : {Going hack to the charcoal burner, and pouring more 
coffee into the cup) Here, child, take this. It will give you a little 
strength. {While she has been at the hrazicr, Kushta has stopped 
crooning, and is lying on the floor. She does not answer.) Kushta! 
Kushta! She is dead! {The child moans and the doll drops from her 
hand. Mother Armenia utters a cry. The cry attracts another group 
of half -starved passer s-hy who have just come to the door.) 

First Girl : What is it, Mother Armenia ? 

Mother Armenia: She is gone — my little Kushta! {Mother Armenia 
begins to weep.) 

Second Girl: Why do you weep? 

Mother Armenia: Have I not cause to weep? 

First Girl : Oh, no. You have cause to rejoice. She can suffer no more 
but we — we may live for days, {Puts her hands to her throat) with no 
hope of food! There is no food in Armenia. 

Second Girl : When will she be buried ? 

Mother Armenia: We will bury her ourselves in the garden when 
Stephen returns. 

First Girl : Can we help you ? 

29 



Mother Armenia: Yes, I will keep her in my room with me to-night. 

( The girls come in. As they stand looking at Kushta, before lifting 
her, Mother Armenia speaks.) You are gone in your springtime, my 
little Kushta. No lad will ever come across the fields to court you. 
You will never know earthly joy or sorrow now. {The young girls 
stand by, weeping silently. ) Oh, almighty God, in your infinite mercy, 
look down this day on the suffering of Armenia ! We offer up to you 
the centuries of persecution we have suffered for the sake of the truth 
as taught by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. ( They help Mother 
Armenia to lift the body of Kushta and carry it off R. E. They re- 
turn and pass out back center. Mother Armenia comes out, and picks 
up Kushta's doll. As she does so, steps are heard coming from L.) 
Little Kushta, you are gone, and there is one less mouth to feed in 
Armenia. {The steps sound closer) Is that you, Stephen? (Voices are 
now heard outside, and there enter three Turkish soldiers. It has 
been growing dark, and she lights the lamp on table R. C.) What do 
you want in my house? 

Ali : ( Who is the captain) We want shelter. It is beginning to rain. 
Mother Armenia : You were not invited here. 

The soldiers laugh. 
Ali : That is true. But we invited ourselves. 
Mother Armenia: Yes, just as long ago your murderous tribes invited 

themselves into our country and took our land away from us. 
Ali: Oh, that was long ago, as you say. The land is ours now, and 

Armenians — well, they're just cattle that still resist the yoke. 
Mother Armenia : And will always do so ! 
Ali : You are foolish. You should not be so unreasonable. 
Mother Armenia : Is it nothing to ask a people to give up their country 

and their faith? 
Ali : What good has your faith done you? Why do you cling to it? 
Mother Armenia: For what it teaches. And we will icling to it while 

there is an Armenian living. 
Ali : That will not be much longer. 
Mother Armenia: Our friends at the mission are working for u;s an'd 

help is near at hand. {The soldiers laugh.) Why do you laugh? 
Ali: Your friends at the mission are now cut off from all the world. 

Mlustapha Kemal has brought up reinforcements, and your people are 

glad enough to remain quiet. No one but a Mohammedan may walk 

the streets in safety now. 
Mother Armenia : God protect us ! 

30 



Ali: Your God has forgotten you. (The soldiers laugh.) We are wasting 
good time that should be spent in sleep. You must find shelter else- 
where. Be off. 

Mother Armenia: (Pointing to the room R.) There is a dead child lying 
there. May we not even bury our dead? 

A!li : You can come back to-morrow, but we must have the place to-night. 
My men must have rest. We will not bother her. ( Without another 
word, Mother Armenia, brokenly and with bowed head, walks out 
of the door Center.) 

A Soldier : I suppose it's a shame to treat them like this. 

Another Soldier : Then why are they so stubborn ? All they need to do 
is to join our faith, and we'll let them alone. 

A soldier comes upon the cup of coffee that Kushta has left untasted. 
He drinks it. They search around the room for what bits of clothing 
they can find, and make pillows for themselves. They have found a 
piece of bread on the shelf, they toss it from\ one to the other, then 
undo their own outfits, and after eating, settle down to sleep. The' 
action takes place during the following conversation. 

A Soldier : I wish I were home in the mountains ! 

Another : And so do I ! 

Another : I am getting tired of the stench of dead Christians. 

Another: It is good planting time. The fields should be ready for 
seeding. 

Another : (Laughing) We've got all the seed there is in the country. 

Another : If only the country were rid of all Christians ! 

Another : Oh, then we'd have no more sport. Killing Christians is good 
sport. 

They drop off to sleep. One has turned the lamp low. A soft knock is 
heard on the door. 

Seema: (Outside) Stephen! Stephen! (The knock is repeated.) Father 
Boghos ! Is there no one at home ? ( The door opens softly and Seema 
enters) Kushta! Oh little Kushta! (She moves to the table on which 
the lamp is resting, and turns up the light. As she does so, she turns 
and sees the sleeping soldiers all around. Realising her danger, she 
starts to tip-toe softly to the door. Ali has been watching her all the 
while, and as she reaches the door, she finds herself faced by him and 
his relentless gaze.) Ali! May God protect me! 

Ali : So you did not like it at my home in the mountains ? 

Seema : Let me pass. 

Ali : Oh no. Why didn't you wait till I returned ? 

31 



Seema : Let me pass, I say. 

Ali : Do not be so defiant. 

Seema: Please! 

Ali : You are safer here with me, than in the street. 

Seema : I can reach the American Mission. There I will be still safer. 

Ali : How did you reach here unmolested ? Our men are everywhere. 

Seema: I ran swiftly and was not noticed. 

Ali : You are too beautiful to pass unnoticed. Some one has helped you 
escape. Who was it? 

Seema : Please let me pass. 

Ali : Tell me who helped you to escape ! 

Seema : I will not ! 

Ali : So there was some one ? 

Seema: Please let me go. I will be safe at the mission. 

Ali : Your Christian friends are in danger themselves. The mission is 

surrounded. You are in my power. Nothing can save you now 

but— 
Seema: But God! {The Turkish soldiers laugh.) 

Ali: Your God does not pay much attention to you. (Wooingly) Pro- 
fess the faith of Allah, and stay with me. I will be good to you. 

Seema: Never! 

Ali : Say but the word and you can go unhindered anywhere. 

Seema : No ! 

Ali: {Getting ugly) Then, by Allah! I will bother no- more with you. 
These men of mine may not give you such gentle treatment. {He 
starts to go. Seema looks in terror into the faces of the leering sol- 
diers.) Now, let us see your Jesus Christ perform a miracle. {There is 
a moment's silence as Seema stands, apparently helpless.) Your Chris- 
tian friends in America have failed to send help. Your Christian 
friends at the mission are cut off and cannot reach you. ( Voices are 
heard outside. Seema looks hopefully in that direction.) You need not 
hope for anything. There is no Christian abroad to-day. None but 
a Mohammedan may walk the streets in safety now. 

Three dervishes enter. 

The Dervishes: Bread! Bread! 

Ali : Be off with you ! I won't be interrupted now. 

A Soldier : Captain, these dervishes are holy men. Evil luck will befall 
you if you do not treat them with respect. 



~ One of the dervishes is Nooril. Seema recognizes him, and her face 
lights up. Ali observes it. 

Ali : So ! You are the one who helped her to escape. You are very fond 
of Christians, it seems. 

Second Dervish : {With quiet force) You seem to be rather fond of 

Christians yourself, Captain. 
Ali: Silence! {To the soldiers) Take her to my home. Here, you can 

be trusted. 

Two soldiers go to lay hands on Seema. As they do so, tzvo of the 
dervishes throw aside their ragged garments, and William and 
Stephen stand revealed. 

Seema : Stephen ! 

Stephen : You have nothing to fear now. 

The soldiers are dazed at first, and then continue to advance. William 
stops them. 

William : Not so fast, my friends. These good people are under the pro- 
tection of the American flag. 

Ali : You don't dare let it wave. Mustapha Kemal's men have taken the 

town. 
William : Oh, yes, we dare. Listen ! They are singing at the mission. 

In the distance can he heard voices singing ''The Star Spangled 
Banner!' 

Ali : Our men will soon silence that. 

William : You are too sanguine. 

Ali : Why do you say that ? 

William : The French troops have reached Urfa, and will be here in a 

little while. 
Ali : You got a message through ? 

William : Of course. And we will soon be able to get food through. 
Ali : {Looking angrily at Nooril) Was it he who helped you? 
William : {Going to him protectingly) It was. 
Ali: {To Nooril) You helped these Christian dogs? 
Nooril: {Proudly) I helped these Christian men! 
Ali: Why did you do it? 
Nooril : Because they fed me when I was hungry. 

Ali : And you forsook the ancient faith of Allah because they filled your 

stomach ! 
Nooril : No, that was not the only reason. I am beginning to see the truth. 



Ali : What do you call the truth ? 

Nooril: I came to their door with hate, they met me with love. I was 

wounded, and they dressed my wounds. I was hungry and they 

fed me. 

Ali : Disgusting ! 

Nooril: But above all, it was because I went to their door hating them, 
and they met me with love. 

Ali : And this girl. It was you who helped her to escape ? 

Nooril: Yes. 

Ali : (In disgust) And I put her in your care ! 

William : It was God that put her in his care. 

Ali : There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet ! 

William : I am not going to discuss religion with you, my friend. I 

am merely going to ask you to judge a faith when it is put to test. 

(Ali glares angrily at the dervish, who crouches close to William.) 

You are, I believe, an educated Turk ? 

Ali : I am. 

William : Then I shall try to appeal to your reason. This man we have 
won to our faith because we met him with love when he came to us 
with hate. This young girl you would win to your faith by torturing 
her. What have you to say ? 

Ali: (Fanatically) There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his 
prophet ! 

The People: (As they pass in the dark street below) We are hungry! 
We are hungry ! 

There is silence. Mother Armenia enters C. door. The demented look 
has returned to her eye. 

Mother Armenia: I cannot find my boy. He left me in the morning 
laughing. They took our men from the villages. They had no guns to 
defend themselves with, and they tied them together arm to arm and 
marched them step by step to the bank of the Euphrates. They 
shoved them in — all struggling together — and my boy was among 
them — 

Seema goes to Mother Armenia and stands with her arm around her. 

William : That is part of the history. 

More people pass outside crying. 

The People : We are hungry ! We are hungry ! 

William : And this is what you do to a people in the name of your 
prophet ! 

34 



Ali : Well, what have your Christian nations done for them ? 

William : (Sadly) Some are doing Httle enough. — But some of us are do- 
ing — ^ALL WE CAN. (With his hand pressed to his side, he slowly 
sinks down panting. Stephen comes quickly and supports him. 

Stephen: (Anxiously) What's the matter, WilHam? 

William : (Breathing with difficulty) It is the old wound, Steve. These — 
have been — strenuous days — 

Stephen : You are killing yourself with overwork ! (To Ali) Will you not 
relieve us of your presence now? You are no longer in command. 
(The soldiers do not move.) We might make it unpleasant for you if 
you remain. 

AiLi : (Seeing that Stephen is sure of his ground) We will go. (Ali and 
his soldiers exeunt doggedly. The women come anxiously forward 
to William's side.) 

William: (Looking around vaguely) Where is Kushta? — Has she had 
any bread to-day? 

Mother Armenia : Kushta will never ask for bread again. 
Stephen: (Starting) Kushta — ? 

Seema: (Stonily) So little Kushta has gone too ! (Stephen bows his head 
in one hand while he still supports William with the other arm.) 

William : (Looking from one to another and at last comprehending) 
Dead? — Kushta dead? (Silently Mother Armenia nods. He rises 
with effort from the divan.) I must go ! 

Stephen : You cannot. You must rest ! 

William : Rest? I cannot rest! (Speaking with new firmness, and passion 
dominating his bodily weakness.) I must go — back to America to tell 
them about Kushta, and the thousands of others who are starving 
here. My country will not fail me ! 

Very softly the orchestra takes up the strain of '^America." More 
people are heard in the street below. 

The People : We are hungry ! We are hungry ! 

As the curtain descends the cry of ''We are hungry," "We are hun- 
gry," is still heard mingling with the far-away sound of people at 
the mission singing ''My country 'tis of thee." 

Curtain 



35 



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